The New Hampshire, Vol. 76, No. 02 (Sep. 10, 1985)

The student publication of the University of New Hampshire

Our Planet: The magazine of the United Nations Environment Programme

Magazine of the United Nations Environment Programme discussing worldwide environmental policies and other concerns. This issue is devoted the use of renewable energy in climate strategy and economic growth

Fleeing to Fault Zones: Incorporating Syrian Refugees into Earthquake Risk Analysis along the East Anatolian and Dead Sea Rift Fault Zones

The influx of millions of Syrian refugees into Turkey has rapidly changed the population distribution along the Dead Sea Rift and East Anatolian Fault zones. In contrast to other countries in the Middle East where refugees are accommodated in camp environments, the majority of displaced individuals in Turkey are integrated into local cities, towns, and villages—placing stress on urban settings and increasing potential exposure to strong earthquake shaking. Yet, displaced populations are not traditionally captured in data sources used in earthquake risk analysis or loss estimations. Accordingly, this study presents a district-level analysis assessing the spatial overlap of earthquake hazards and refugee locations in southeastern Turkey, in hopes of determining how migration patterns are altering seismic risk in the region. Using migration estimates from the U.S. Humanitarian Information Unit, district-level population scenarios that combine official population statistics with camped and non-camped refugee population bounds were created. Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis was performed alongside these scenarios to map spatial variations in seismic risk between 2011 and 2015. Results show a relative southward increase of seismic risk for this period due to refugee migration. Additionally, earthquake fatalities were calculated using a semi-empirical loss estimation technique on five faults to determine degree of under-estimation resulting from forgoing migration data in loss modeling. It was found that refugee populations increase casualties by 11-12% using median population estimates, and upwards of 20% using high population estimates. These findings communicate the ongoing importance of placing environmental hazards in their appropriate regional context which unites physical, political, cultural, and socio-economic landscapes

Central Florida Future, August 26, 1998

Former astronaut to teach at UCF; UCF Downtown Center offers legal studies degree; UCF South Center now offering credit classes.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/centralfloridafuture/2466/thumbnail.jp

Ecology and conservation of prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) in relation to movement in a fragmented urban environment

xii, 83 leaves : col. ill., col. maps ; 29 cmEighteen prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) were tracked using radio-telemetry and 82 snakes were PIT-tagged over a 2-year period in Lethbridge, AB to determine population size, movement patterns, and habitat utilization, and to predict fragmentation effects on the species within an urban locale. Population size was estimated using closed population models at 374 snakes (295 adults) and open population models at 204 snakes (161 adults), greater than an estimate of <50 adults in 2003 (Ernst, 2003) and 2006 (Ernst & Quinlan, 2006). Mean home range sizes, based on 95% minimum convex polygon analysis, differed significantly between years (31.51 ha in 2005, 3.72 ha in 2006). Calculated movement parameters, such as mean distance moved per day, total distance moved over the course of the active season, and frequency of movement varied between years and individuals. Greater-than-expected (under hypotheses of even habitat choice) utilization was observed in habitat types located within coulee and flood plain areas, with apparent preference towards unbroken parcels of grassland or cottonwoods, whereas less-than-predicted utilization of agricultural habitat type was observed. Fragmentation effects on prairie rattlesnake movement and occurrence were examined through modeling and were found to coincide with observed species’ locations, suggesting that prairie rattlesnakes are undergoing modification of movement patterns to avoid highly concentrated human density or use. Influence of weather on the use of vegetative ground cover was observed, as it was accessed more by prairie rattlesnakes at higher temperatures. Recommendations towards future management of the prairie rattlesnake population in Lethbridge are given, including protection of the Bridge View Drive site and inclusion of varied habitat types and terrain when planning habitat and wildlife corridors. Management decisions that ensure remaining habitat parcels and connective areas near rattlesnake foraging or movement corridors are also advocated. Identification of future research focuses include studies on juvenile survivorship, genetic structure, and vehicle-related mortality